Flow control device and method

Abstract

The flow control device includes a flow path, a compensation chamber and a regulator assembly defining a first surface exposed to the flow path and an opposing second surface which is exposed to the compensation chamber. A drive arrangement is provided for moving the regulator assembly to vary the flow path. Fluid flowing through the flow path establishes a pressure which varies across the first surface of the regulator assembly. The compensation chamber is in pressure communication with a localised region of the first surface which is selected to establish a compensation chamber pressure which acts against the second surface of the regulator assembly to bias the regulator assembly in a desired direction. The first surface of the regulator assembly may define a profile configured to minimise the variation in pressure applied over the first surface by action of fluid flowing through the flow path.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A flow control device, comprising:
 a housing defining a specific flow path, at least one port, and a compensation chamber configured to be separated from a flow of fluid in the specific flow path; and 
 a regulator assembly within the housing and comprising
 a first surface further defining the specific flow path, 
 a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface further defining the compensation chamber such that the regulator assembly separates the defined compensation chamber from the specific flow path within the housing, and 
 a drive arrangement configured to move the regulator assembly in opposing first and second directions; 
 
 wherein the specific flow path extends from an interior of the housing and into the at least one port to connect the specific flow path with an exterior of the housing, 
 wherein the regulator assembly defines a pressure conduit permitting pressure communication between the specific flow path and the defined compensation chamber, and 
 wherein the regulator assembly is configured to
 vary pressure within the specific flow path and in the defined compensation chamber by the defined pressure conduit in combination with the at least one port, and 
 regulate flow through the specific flow path. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulator assembly is further configured to provide flow control in at least one of production flow and injection flow in a wellbore. 
     
     
       3. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulator assembly is further configured to impart pressure fluctuations within the specific flow path to provide for wireless communication. 
     
     
       4. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulator assembly is further configured to open the specific flow path. 
     
     
       5. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulator assembly is further configured to substantially equalize a compensation chamber pressure with a pressure at the first surface of the regulator assembly. 
     
     
       6. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulator assembly defines an access port within the first surface of the regulator assembly, the access port coupled to the defined pressure conduit. 
     
     
       7. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one port is further defined in a wall of the housing. 
     
     
       8. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines an inlet at the at least one port for permitting inlet flow into the specific flow path. 
     
     
       9. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the regulator assembly and the housing, in combination, are configured to vary fluid flow through the specific flow path. 
     
     
       10. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one port is obliquely aligned relative to a central axis of the housing. 
     
     
       11. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines at least one by-pass flow port. 
     
     
       12. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the regulator assembly is configured to vary a pressure distribution across said first surface. 
     
     
       13. The flow control device according to  claim 12 , wherein the first surface is configured to divert fluid flow along the direction of the specific flow path. 
     
     
       14. The flow control device according to  claim 12 , wherein the first surface comprises a conical profile. 
     
     
       15. The flow control device according to  claim 12 , wherein the first surface comprises a parabolic conical profile. 
     
     
       16. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device is configured to be installed within a wellbore. 
     
     
       17. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow port permits communication between the specific flow path and a subterranean zone including at least one of a production zone and injection zone. 
     
     
       18. The flow control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines an outlet of the at least one flow port for permitting outlet flow from the specific flow path. 
     
     
       19. A wellbore comprising:
 the flow control device according to  claim 1 , positioned at a downhole location within a wellbore. 
 
     
     
       20. The flow control device according to  claim 19 , wherein the flow control device is mountable within existing equipment within the wellbore of  claim 19 . 
     
     
       21. A method for controlling flow, comprising:
 providing a flow control device, wherein the flow control device comprises
 a housing defining a specific flow path, at least one port, and a compensation chamber separated from a flow of fluid in the specific flow path; and 
 a regulator assembly within the housing, the regulator assembly including
 a first surface further defining the specific flow path, 
 a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface further defining the compensation chamber such that the regulator assembly separates the compensation chamber from the specific flow path, and 
 a drive arrangement configured to move the regulator assembly in opposing first and second directions; 
 
 
 permitting fluid to flow through the specific flow path such that said fluid flow varies a pressure within the housing across the first surface of the regulator assembly, the specific flow path extending from an interior of the housing and into the at least one port to connect the specific flow path with an exterior of the housing; and 
 establishing a compensation chamber pressure which acts against the second surface of the regulator assembly via a pressure conduit defined by the regulator assembly permitting pressure communication between the specific flow path and the defined compensation chamber, by communicating pressure from the first surface, to bias the regulator assembly in one of the first and second directions. 
 
     
     
       22. A flow control device, comprising:
 a housing defining a specific flow path, a flow port and a compensation chamber separated from a flow of fluid in the specific flow path; 
 a regulator assembly comprising a first surface which further defines the specific flow path and an opposing second surface which further defines the compensation chamber such that the regulator assembly separates the compensation chamber from the specific flow path, the specific flow path extending into the flow port; and 
 a drive arrangement configured to move the regulator assembly to vary the specific flow path; 
 wherein the specific flow path is in pressure communication with the defined compensation chamber; and 
 wherein the first surface comprises a parabolic conical profile which is configured to negate variations in pressure applied over said first surface by action of fluid flowing through the flow path via the specific flow port. 
 
     
     
       23. The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the compensation chamber is fluidly coupled to the specific flow path via a port provided on the first surface of the regulator assembly. 
     
     
       24. A method for controlling flow, comprising:
 defining a specific flow path, a flow port and a compensation chamber within a housing of a flow control device, the compensation chamber being separated from a flow of fluid in the specific flow path; 
 establishing pressure communication between said specific flow path and compensation chamber; 
 providing a regulator assembly comprising a first surface which further defines the specific flow path and a second surface which further defines the compensation chamber, the regulator assembly separating the compensation chamber and the specific flow path, and the specific flow path extending into the flow port, 
 moving the regulator assembly by a drive arrangement to vary the specific flow path; and 
 passing fluid through the specific flow path via the flow port such that the profile of the first surface negates variations in pressure applied over said surface; 
 wherein the first surface comprises a parabolic conical profile.